Photo: Boston Fire Department
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — One week before Veterans Day, more than 700 veterans and active military personnel marched down Boylston Street in Boston for the 2023 Salute to Service Parade on Saturday.
The parade honored those who have served in the military, starting at Boston Public Library and ending at City Hall Plaza.
"We have pride in what we do, we have pride in our flag," Brian Willette told WBZ NewsRadio. Willette was injured while serving in Afghanistan and was awarded the Purple Heart.
"We’re marching for those who can’t march, we’re marching for those came before us," Willette said. "This is a time-honored tradition that must continue and will continue as long as we’re able to march."
90-year-old Korean War veteran Walter Larkin said it took him a while to dig out his uniform.
"Shoes, socks, belt, tie, shirt, Eisenhower jacket. It took us six months to find everything," Larkin laughed.
Among those in attendance at the parade was Boston City Council President Ed Flynn, a Navy veteran who believes support for veterans doesn’t begin and end with a parade.
"Going forward, let’s work together to try to get the public more involved, more engaged, supporting veteran's benefits at the city level, state level, and federal level," said Flynn.
"I get a little disappointed in the turnouts that we get on the sidelines," added veteran Keith Buckhout. "We should all be out here supporting this and working toward common goals, rather than all the in-fighting that’s going on."
WBZ's Suzanne Sausville (@WBZSausville) reports.
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